College football: Richard Rodgers enjoys breakout game for Cal Bears

California coach Jeff Tedford said before the season that Richard Rodgers was “the best tight end in the country.” Pretty nice props for the former St. John's High star.

“That means a lot,” Rodgers said this week, “but at the same time, I don't really focus on that kind of thing. That's a good goal to shoot for. I can't really say if I'm going to be one of the best tight ends in the country. I've just got to help my team and produce wherever I can on the field.”

With his breakout game last week against ranked Pac-12 opponent UCLA, Rodgers played a big role in the Golden Bears' second victory of the season, a 43-17 thumping.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound sophomore caught seven passes for 129 yards while creating matchup problems for the Bruins' defense and gaining yards after the catch. Rodgers had long receptions of 50 and 42 yards.

“As a team, we really showed what we can do, and we have to continue on that path,” Rodgers said. “We haven't reached our full potential yet, but I think that was a good preview of it. For me, it was just good to catch the ball again and get in open space and run around a little bit. It wasn't anything too big, but it was a good game.”

In Cal's four previous games, Rodgers had three receptions for 28 yards, including his first career grab in a 50-31 win over Southern Utah. In that game, Rodgers suffered a right foot injury — torn ligaments — and he is not 100 percent. He is rehabbing and said he can play through it. Cal plays at Washington State tomorrow.

Rodgers was recruited to Cal as a tight end after an awesome career at St. John's playing wide receiver and defensive end. One of the best athletes Central Mass. has seen, Rodgers had 65 catches for 1,064 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior, while adding 35 tackles, eight sacks, an interception and four forced fumbles on defense.

He generated interest from a number of other big-time colleges, including Oregon and Notre Dame, before ultimately deciding on Cal, his dad's alma mater.

Richard Rodgers Sr., who spent six seasons as the Holy Cross defensive coordinator, is now an assistant with the Carolina Panthers, but his presence is still very much felt at Cal, younger Richard said. Richard Sr. was part of “The Play,” one of the most famous finishes in college football history.

As the Bears' special teams captain, Richard Sr. called “The Play” in the huddle, and Cal used five lateral passes on a kick return to score the winning touchdown as Stanford band members milled around in the end zone.

“There are pictures everywhere of 'The Play,' ” Rodgers said. “My dad has told me the story, the whole story of how the day went and how the game went, and I've seen it many times. I just kind of laugh when I see it because it's weird to see your dad out there playing.”

The 30th anniversary of “The Play” is Nov. 20. Rodgers played in every game last year as a true freshman, making most of his contributions on special teams. He blocked a punt against Presbyterian.

He came out of preseason as the first-team tight end and is a John Mackey Award candidate.

Rodgers mom, Mindy, lives in northern California and attends all of Cal's games.

Rodgers talks to his dad on a regular basis.

“He was a big influence on me going to Cal,” Rodgers said. “I wanted to get out here and see what it was like and my junior year (of high school) I did that. I really liked it. It's a nice environment, and I definitely feel comfortable here. You always want to follow in your dad's footsteps, and that's what I chose to do.”

HC faces Raiders' challenge

Jordan McCord led Colgate with almost 1,000 rushing yards two seasons ago, but last year, with Nate Eachus getting most of the handoffs, McCord switched to defense and totaled 69 tackles and 1-1/2 sacks as a starting safety. Eachus is now with the Kansas City Chiefs — he made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent — and McCord has returned to the offensive backfield. He has already rushed for 683 yards (fifth in FCS) and five touchdowns through Colgate's first five games.

Tomorrow, when Holy Cross travels to Hamilton, N.Y., to face Patriot League foe Colgate, the Crusaders will have the unenviable task of slowing McCord and junior quarterback Gavin McCarney, who has done an outstanding job running Colgate's option offense this fall.

“It's a huge challenge,” HC coach Tom Gilmore said. “Their quarterback would be good in any offense, their running back would be good in any offense, but having them both and not knowing who's going to be carrying the ball makes it very difficult.”

Holy Cross (1-4), coming off its first win of the season, has had mixed results against the run and ranks sixth in the PL in rushing defense, allowing 169 yards a game.

Colgate coach Dick Biddle has high praise for McCord, yet another Raiders player to dominate the position this decade. Jordan Scott (2005-08) is Colgate's all-time leading rusher, with Eachus and Jamaal Branch (2000-01, 03-04) also ranking in the top four.

The Raiders (2-3) are coming off their bye week, but before that, defeated Yale, 47-24, as McCarney had a hand in six touchdowns.

Colgate has struggled on defense. The Raiders rank last in the PL in scoring defense (28.2) and rushing defense (232.6). They do have the league's best pass defense (143.2).

Sophomore quarterback Steven Elder will make his second start for the Crusaders. Elder was 19 of 35 for 205 yards and two interceptions in last week's 13-6 win over Bucknell.

“He didn't look like he was fazed at all, even when he did make mistakes,” Gilmore said. “He did some good things. The team has a lot of confidence in him. I think some of that rustiness will be worn off after another week of practice.”

Holy Cross has won three straight against Colgate.

Worcester State junior linebacker Matt Begley was named New England Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Begley also was named to the D3Football.com and Beyond Sports Network teams of the week.

Begley totaled a career-high 18 tackles and his third-quarter interception led to the winning score against Mass. Maritime.

The Lancers (5-1, 3-0) travel to Bridgewater State (5-1, 2-1) for a key Bogan Division game at 1 p.m. tomorrow.